Post-hole digger



PATBNTBD FEB. 16, 1904.

A. D. SMITH. POST HOLE BIGGER. APPLIGATION FILED Nov. 27. 1903-.

. llio mmm..

Patented February 1e, 1904.

PATENT OFFICE.

ALBERT DAVIS SMITH, OF LANCASTER, PENNSYLVANIA.

POST-HOLE DIGGEFI.

SPECIFICATION forming para of Letters 15e/cent Ne. 752,115, dated February 1e, 1904.

Application filed November 27, 1903. Serial No. 182,824. (No model.) I

To @ZZ whom t may concern: Y

Be it known that I, ALBERT DAvIs SMITH, a citizen of the-United States, residing at Lancaster, in the county of Lancaster and State of Pennsylvania, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Post-Hole Diggers; and I do hereby declare the following to be ay full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to makeand use the same. l

This invention relates to post-hole diggers of the double-shovel pivoted-jaw kind; and it consists inthe construction and combination of parts hereinafter more particularly set forth and claimed.

Figure 1 represents a perspective view of my-improved double shovel and tamper, especially adapted to each other and collectively constituting my post-hole digger. Fig. 2 represents a cross-section of the same, taken just above the shoulders. Fig. 3 represents a side elevation of the two members of the double shovel detached. Fig. 4 represents a side elevation of the shovels closed, and Fig. 5 represents a similar view of the double shovel in position for separating its members.

A and A designate, respectively, the two shovel-blades or shovel-shaped digging-jaws, having L-shaped plates B B rising centrally therefrom and rigid therewith. These plates have laterally-extending feet Z on each side of them, resting on the horizontal and segmentshaped tops c c' of the said shovels and riveted or otherwise secured thereto. The broad and long horizontal arms b2 63 of these plates overlap, and plate B is provided on its face with a horizontal or slightly-oblique button C, having a thin elongated head, while plate B has a keyhole-slot D, consisting of a circular central part d to receive the cylindrical stem cof said button and two opposite radial parts a, normally in alinement at an angle of about fortyive degrees. The said slot permits the said head to pass through it when the said plates are so placed as to bring these parts exactly opposite each other.V The length of stem c and the thickness of B exactly correspond, so that the said stem constitutes apivot for the said jaws, and the said head lits just in front of the plate B', not impeding the pivotal movement of either plate, but eifectually locking the tvvo plates and their jaws together after said jaws have been turned into their normal position for use. (Illustrated in Fig. l.)

At the upper and outer corners of the L-l shaped plates B B' and on opposite sides there-r of blocks or shoulders E F are located, hav-y ing square tops to receive the stroke of the tamper. the said plates and are rigid therewith, the rod Gr being on the same face oi' the plate B as is block or shoulder E, but at the edge of the said plate on the other side of the pivoted point, and the rod H being similarly arrangedk on plate B with respect to block or shoulder F. Each of these rods is bent outward at the upper end to a handle or hand-grasp-g or L. The said rods are thus diametrically opposite each other, and the said blocks or shoulders are also diametrically opposite each other. A line connecting the rods will cross a line connecting the blocks over the middle of;

the pivot and the central vertical line of the tool. The shoulders are raised slightly above the level of the tops of the shovel-blades.

I designates a tamping-tool consisting of a long bar, having at its lower end a plate orV casting J of sufficient length to extend fromE block or shoulder E to block or shoulder F, when these are at their greatest distance apart.` This plate, at opposite sides of its ends, is provided with lat integral horns jj', overlapping` the said blocks and giving to the plate as a whole approximately an S form, especially as the inner edges of these horns are curved at their junction to the body ot" the plate to `fit the said rods, as shown in Figs. l and 2. A wooden facing K for said plate is the part which actuallyr strikes the shoulders. The na ture of its material deadens the sound of the stroke and lessens the wear on the shouldersl or biocks E F.

The operation of my post-hole digger is as follows: The shovels and tamper being in the position shown in Fig. l, the latter is raised and brought down on the shoulders E F, being guided by the rods Gr H and horns 1' of plate J, so as to insure vertical motion and certainty of stroke. The Weight of the bar Long handle-rods G H rise from IOO and plate constituting the tamper is sufficient to make the stroke effective; but it may of course be repeated as often as necessary until the shovels have been driven into the soil to the required depth. The handles are then-moved toward each other, closing the jaws intp the position shown in Fig. t, after which they are lifted, opened to dump out the earth, and returned to the post-hole, taking the position shown in Fig. 1 in readiness for repeated service.

If desired, the two plates and attached parts may be separated by reversing the procedure of attachment above described. Each shovel may then be used as such. The tamper has a spade-blade L formed on the upper end of its bar and maybe used independently as the latter tool when reversed; but of course the chief utility of the digger will be found in its use, as above described, with the three members in cooperation.

The shovel-blades A A of course need not have precisely the shovel form, though this is preferred. I/Vhen separated, the digger-s foot may press either on the shoulder or on the closed top of the shovel. For use in the normal way, above described, as a hole-digger there is an advantage in raising the should ers above the digging-jaws or shovel-blades and interposing the plates B BQ as the jar of the heavy tamper on the shovel-blades and the consequent risk of injury to them will be less.

Of course the device, though primarily a post-hole digger, may be used for any purposes of excavation to which it is applicable.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

l. In a digging' device, a pair of diggingjaws, pivoted together and provided with handle-rods as well as with shoulders, in combination withatamper, arranged to strike on the said shoulders and having parts which engage the said rods,to be guided thereby in their up-and-down movement, substantially as set forth.

2. In a digging device, a pair of shovels, pivoted together and provided with handlerods as well as with shoulders, in combination with a tamper, arranged to strike on the said shoulders and having a plate J provided with horns j, which overlap the said shoulders and also fit against the said rods to be guided thereby, substantially as set forth.

3. In a digging device, a lpair of shovels,

connected together by parts having, respectively, a button and a slot, the said button having a cylindrical stem to serve as a pivot and a broader head for preventing the detachment of the shovels while in operative position, and the said slot consisting of a central opening, fitting said stem, and two opposite radial parts fitting said head, the slot and button-head being also arranged at different angles, substantially as set forth. Y

4. In a digging device, a pair of shovels, having a pair of plates rigid with them, respectively, said plates being detachably pivoted together and provided with a pair of shoulders, raised above the tops of the digging-jaws or shovel-blades, substantially as set forth.

5. In a digging device, a pair of shovels,

provided with a pair of raised L-shaped plates, which are pivoted together, the said plates being provided with a pair of shoulders on their tops and with a pair of handle-arms, the said armsbeing diametrically opposite to each other and the said shoulders being diametrically opposite each other, substantially as set forth.

6. In a digging device, a pair of shovels, provided with a pair of raised L-shaped plates, which are pivoted together, and provided with diametrically opposite handle-rods and diametrically opposite shoulders, in combination with a tamperl having vertical, independent motion and provided with a tamping-plate which has horns overlapping the said shoulders and fitting the said rods to be guided thereby, substantially as set forth.

7. In a digging device, a pair of shovels, provided with handle-rods, also with shoulders raised above the shovel-blades and connected thereto by intervening parts, in combination with a tamper, provided with a tamping-plate, which overlaps said shoulders, fits said rods, to be guided thereby, and has on its under side a facing of wood, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

8. In a digging device, a pair of shovels provided with overlapping raised plates, having handle-rods rigid therewith and shoulders formed on their tops, in combination with a tamper, adapted to strike said shoulders as it descends, and provided with parts which {it and guide the said rods, substantially as s et forth.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this speciication in the presence of two subscribing Witnesses.

ALBERT DAVIS SMITH.

I/Vitnesses:

WM. HARDEN, A. E. MCKENZIE.

IOO 

